Thursday, November 9, 2017
Tracey and other members of the O'Connor family. Please accept my condolences. Robert (Bobby) Edward O’Connor (aka Mousie), was a very good friend of mine.
We attended Saint Columba together, were Alter Boys together, were on the Saint Columba School Patrol together along with Claude Hays and played street/ice hockey together for a short time. We were the Saint Columba Class of ’61.
During the next four years of High School, we were best buddies and the rest of “the gang” was comprised of Rocco Marino, Vinny Marino, Gregory Pride (RIP), Dimitrius Psaros (his mom and dad owned Old Town restaurant on 10th between 24th and 25th) and Bobby Rode. We were all “joined at the hip” as they say. Greg passed away as the result of a car accident many many years ago but I still see Rocco, Vinny and Bobby Rode. Lost touch with Dimitrius.
After High School, Mousie, Rocco, and Bobby Rode went into the military (Army, Army and Navy respectively) and served admirably. All three convinced me to hold off on joining and finish college before entering the military, which I did.
Mousie married Pat (Patricia Whitton) in the late 60s. They had 3 or 4 children. My memory fades a bit, but I seem to recall Tracey, Heather, Melissa and Robert came into the O’connor clan during my last year of college and throughout my several years of military service in the Air Force. Kept in touch the best I could but life has a way of pulling you in many directions.
I’ve tried many time over the past two decades to reconnect, but to no avail.
But due to Social Media, I just heard a few days ago, somewhat out of the clear blue, that BOTH Mousie and Pat are gone….. my heart is truly broken. The World has lost two wonderful people. Robert (Mousie) Edward O’Connor, may he rest in peace, was a very good friend and lots of memories were made with him and “the gang”.
I feel guilty right now that I didn’t pursue reconnecting more aggressively. Sure, one can always lean on the excuses that life keeps you busy and “there’s always tomorrow”. But in the end you’ll miss golden opportunities to “make some memories” to hold onto during the remainder of your life. Bobby, my good buddy, I will never forget you and the times we had growing up in New York. Rest in Peace.
